On World AIDS Day UN Foundation CEO Applauds Progress and Urges Individuals to Take Action to Fight AIDS

New York —
December 1, 2012

United Nations Foundation CEO Kathy Calvin today issued the following statement on World AIDS Day:

“Today, on World AIDS Day, the global community rallies the world’s attention to recommit to the fight against AIDS and commends the people and organizations that have worked for decades to raise awareness, increase funding, and build programs to save lives from HIV/AIDS around the world. There are currently 34 million people living with HIV globally, and in Africa nearly 1 in every 20 adults is HIV-positive, according to the recently released report from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). These figures are high, but illustrate a drastic improvement from just 10 years ago.

Last year, there were 24 percent fewer deaths from HIV/AIDS than in 2005, and new infections plummeted by 50 percent or greater in 25 countries. This progress is tremendous, but our work is far from over. Today, we are proud to support our partners at UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and (RED), who are working daily to achieve the global goal of an AIDS-free generation by 2015.

This strategy is working, and we know we have the tools necessary to prevent the disease; we need to continue to work together to reach this goal. This World AIDS Day, join us at the UN Foundation to take action against HIV/AIDS.”

Ways You Can Take Action on World AIDS Day

Make a Donation:

Donate to INSPI(RED) BY (RED) to support the Global Fund’s HIV/AIDS programs in Africa. Donations made possible by the UN Foundation.

Tweet the following:

On World AIDS Day, tell the world: an AIDS-Free Generation is due in 2015. #endofAIDS @unfounation @UNAIDS @joinred http://bit.ly/Ub0dy4

Update Your Facebook Status:

Today is World AIDS Day! Help us spread the word that an AIDS Free Generation is due in 2015. No child should be born with HIV http://bit.ly/Ub0dy4

The United Nations Foundation, a public charity, was created in 1998 with entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner’s historic $1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities. The UN Foundation builds and implements public/private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and works to broaden support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach. Through campaigns and partnerships, the organization connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The campaigns reduce child mortality, empower women and girls, create a new energy future, secure peace and human rights, and promote technology innovation to improve health outcomes. These solutions are helping the UN advance the eight global targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.

The United Nations Foundation works in close partnership with (RED) and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria — the recipient of all (RED) money — to support and fund prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.